Senators Bob Corker (R-Tn.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) on Thursday introduced the “Foreign Fuels Reduction Act,” legislation that would help ensure only domestically-sourced fuels are used to meet the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

“It’s become obvious that the Renewable Fuel Standard is having some unintended consequences. This bill is a common sense step toward potentially mitigating gasoline price increases the RFS may contribute to in the near future. Because its mandated biofuels volumes are too high, the RFS is also unintentionally incentivizing ethanol imports. Our bill helps to correct that problem by more properly aligning mandated levels with what we produce domestically,” said Senator Corker.

“It is time for America to create an all-of-the-above energy policy that will help lead us to energy independence,” Senator Manchin said. “It’s simply common sense to use all of our resources, and that includes non-food based biofuels. I am proud to cosponsor this bill with my good friend Senator Bob Corker to make sure that we continue to develop domestic non-food based biofuels while stopping the current system’s incentives to import food-based ethanol products from foreign countries.”

The Foreign Fuel Reduction Act would require that a reduction to the volume of cellulosic biofuel required under the RFS also results in a pro rata reduction to the total volume of renewable fuel and advanced biofuels, thereby helping to ensure that the RFS is met only by domestically sourced biofuels.

Senator Lamar Alexander on Thursday announced the following staff changes: Liz Wolgemuth will be promoted to senior communications director and speechwriter, replacing Jim Jeffries, who is moving to Seattle. Margaret Atkinson will be promoted to communications director. Senator Alexander said, “Washington, D.C.’s loss is Washington state’s gain. Jim Jeffries is one ... (click for more)

County school board members are gearing up to set priorities for the next round of new school construction in Hamilton County. Lee McDade, assistant superintendent, said officials may know by the spring how much money will be available to build new schools or add on to existing ones - or do a combination of both. Board member Rhonda Thurman said a proposal to build a new Chattanooga ... (click for more)

Walker County Sole Commissioner-Elect Shannon Whitfield said there will be a new arrangement for holding of public commissioner sessions when he takes place at the start of January. Current Commissioner Bebe Heiskell has held Thursday meetings at 3:30 p.m. from time to time in a conference room at her office near the Walker County Courthouse in LaFayette. Mr. Whitfield said those ... (click for more)

While a noble cause to make sure vehicles are operating efficiently with the minimum amount of pollutants, a simple analysis makes it somewhat evident the VET program in Chattanooga causes more pollution that it prevents. Though I don't know how many vehicles are tested on an annual basis, if you assume an average round trip of 10 miles to the nearest testing station (five ... (click for more)

If I could change one thing about the schools in Chattanooga, my wish would be that everybody could become good friends. I’m talking about the private schools versus the public schools. The rancor is so bad we hardly ever play in sports anymore and what the loathsome TSSAA has done in recent years to the out-numbered private schools is sinful. My dream would be that there would ... (click for more)